Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2026

Affordable dreadnought acoustic guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Country For Folk For Bluegrass For Rock For Singer-Songwriter For Campfire Sessions

BRANDS: Martin Guitar Harley Benton Gibson Furch Yamaha Fender Guild Ibanez Takamine Epiphone Taylor DAngelico Lakewood Applause Cole Clark Maton Baton Rouge Cort Framus Seagull

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case

by Harley Benton

Singer-Songwriter Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Great for strumming

✓ PROS

• Balanced across all frequencies
• Rich bass response

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 550407

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Rock Folk Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Powerful projection and volume

✓ PROS

• Rich bass response
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• May lack upper-mid clarity
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN*Acoustic...

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 540430

$460

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41S WN w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41S WN w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Rock Folk Campfire Sessions

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• Large body may be uncomfortable

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41S WN w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41S WN*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 540427

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce

by Breedlove

Country Campfire Sessions Folk

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Large body may be uncomfortable
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought SpruceAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: Solid European spruceCascade bracingBack...

⭐ 4.7/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 618728

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Takamine GD30 B - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Takamine GD30 B

by Takamine

Rock Bluegrass Campfire Sessions

Key Feature:

• Balanced across all frequencies

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Powerful projection and volume

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Takamine GD30 BSteel-String GuitarType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 608477

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone Hummingbird Studio FCB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone Hummingbird Studio FCB

by Epiphone

Campfire Sessions Bluegrass Country

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Powerful projection and volume
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Less comfortable for smaller players

Epiphone Hummingbird Studio FCBAcoustic Guitar with PickupTop: solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 298271

$479

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha FGX800C NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Yamaha FGX800C NT

by Yamaha

Folk Campfire Sessions Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Powerful projection and volume

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Yamaha FGX800C NTSteel-String GuitarCutawaySolid spruce topNATO back & sidesNato neckWalnut fretboard20 Frets43 mm...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 468037

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone J-45 EC Studio VS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone J-45 EC Studio VS

by Epiphone

Campfire Sessions Rock Folk

Key Feature:

• Powerful projection and volume

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Great for strumming

✗ CONS

• Less comfortable for smaller players
• Large body may be uncomfortable

Epiphone AJ220SCE VSSteel-String Guitar with PickupAdvanced jumbo design with cutawaySolid sitka spruce topMahogany...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 277940

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE w/Case

by Harley Benton

Singer-Songwriter Folk Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Rich bass response

✗ CONS

• Large body may be uncomfortable
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 568268

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Baton Rouge X15S/D-B - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Baton Rouge X15S/D-B

by Baton Rouge

Campfire Sessions Folk Country

Key Feature:

• Classic dreadnought tone

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Rich bass response

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Large body may be uncomfortable

Baton Rouge X15S/D-BAcoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: OkoumeFingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 586723

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Country Folk Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Great for strumming

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• Can overpower fingerpicking

Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.5/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 545394

$493

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez ALT30FM-RDB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez ALT30FM-RDB

by Ibanez

Campfire Sessions Folk Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Rich bass response

✓ PROS

• Rich bass response
• Classic dreadnought tone

✗ CONS

• Large body may be uncomfortable
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Ibanez ALT30FM-RDBAcoustic Guitar with PickupAltstar SeriesStyle: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: flamed mapleBack and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 557299

$455

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10SC w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10SC w/Case

by Harley Benton

Folk Singer-Songwriter Campfire Sessions

Key Feature:

• Great for strumming

✓ PROS

• Great for strumming
• Powerful projection and volume

✗ CONS

• Requires good playing technique
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10SC w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10SCE...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 568267

$318

Buy at Thomann View Details

Yamaha FG800 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Yamaha FG800 NT

by Yamaha

Rock Folk Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Powerful projection and volume

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Great for strumming

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• May lack upper-mid clarity

Yamaha FG800 NTAcoustic GuitarTop: solid spruceBack and sides: NatoNeck: NatoFingerboard: WalnutScale: 650 mmNut width:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 467748

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Guild A-20 Bob Marley - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.4/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Guild A-20 Bob Marley

by Guild

Campfire Sessions Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Great for strumming

✓ PROS

• Classic dreadnought tone
• Balanced across all frequencies

✗ CONS

• Can overpower fingerpicking
• Less comfortable for smaller players

Guild A-20 Bob MarleySteel-String GuitarBob Marley modelDesign: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 527076

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced dreadnought acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2026

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Case

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41SE WN w/Bag

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-41S WN w/Bag

Breedlove Discovery S Dreadnought Spruce

Takamine GD30 B

Epiphone Hummingbird Studio FCB

Yamaha FGX800C NT

Epiphone J-45 EC Studio VS

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE w/Case

Baton Rouge X15S/D-B

Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood w/Bag

Ibanez ALT30FM-RDB

Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10SC w/Case

Yamaha FG800 NT

Guild A-20 Bob Marley

How to Choose the Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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